The victory was highlighted by standout performances from
A Dominant First-Half Display
Bellingham ignited the scoring in the 19th minute with a piece of individual brilliance, weaving past two defenders before firing a low shot through Herrero’s legs. The pressure continued to mount on the Andalusian side, and just seven minutes later, Madrid doubled their advantage. After Herrero initially saved an effort from Mbappe, Bellingham headed the rebound toward the net, where it deflected off defender Carlos Puga and eventually into the goal off the goalkeeper.
Mbappe soon added his name to the scoresheet, volleying home a precise cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. This strike marked the Frenchman’s fourth goal of the season, placing him at the top of the league's scoring charts. Despite Malaga’s attempts to respond before the interval—most notably through Rafa Rodriguez, who struck the post, and Chupe, who found the side netting—Madrid entered the break in total control.
Managing the Lead and Defensive Solidity
The second half saw a more measured approach from the home side. Mourinho, who rotated his squad by making five changes to his starting lineup, noted that the focus shifted toward game management and defensive discipline. While Bellingham came close to adding to his tally when he struck the post, the final goal of the match arrived late, with Vinicius Junior setting up Guler for a simple finish from close range.
Mourinho expressed satisfaction with the team's ability to secure their first clean sheet of the season. He emphasized that while attacking flair is vital, building a solid defensive unit remains a core objective for his squad. Elsewhere in La Liga, Deportivo La Coruna claimed their first win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Valencia, while Athletic Bilbao secured a 2-0 win away at Celta Vigo.
